Top News:
Paul Newberry / Associated Press:
Commentary: Jose Urena plunked Ronald Acuna Jr. He should be suspended for the rest of the season. — Ronald Acuna Jr. is good for baseball. — Jose Urena and his defenders are not. — Jose, take the rest of the season off. — And while you're at it, take Keith Hernandez with you.
RELATED:
Chuck Schilken / Los Angeles Times:
Ronald Acuna Jr. is hit by a pitch for being too good, and broadcaster Keith Hernandez is OK with that — Young Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. was hit by a pitch Wednesday night for being too good. — Acuna had led off with a home run in all three of the Braves' previous games against Miami this week.
Discussion:
Fox News, New York Post and USA Today
ESPN:
Ronald Acuna Jr. day-to-day as CT scan on elbow normal — A CT scan performed Wednesday night on Ronald Acuna Jr.'s left elbow came back normal and the rookie outfielder is considered day-to-day, the Atlanta Braves announced Thursday. — EDITOR'S PICKS — Braves rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Braves, Marlins brawl after Acuna hit by Urena's first pitch
Braves, Marlins brawl after Acuna hit by Urena's first pitch
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Post, Talking Chop and Fish Stripes
Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
Benches clear after Marlins drill Braves rookie Ronald Acuna to open series finale in Atlanta
Benches clear after Marlins drill Braves rookie Ronald Acuna to open series finale in Atlanta
Discussion:
SBNation.com, NBCSports.com and FanGraphs Baseball
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
After hitting Braves' Ronald Acuna, Marlins pitcher faces backlash and says it was accidental
After hitting Braves' Ronald Acuna, Marlins pitcher faces backlash and says it was accidental
Discussion:
miamiherald, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Trade Rumors and Fish Stripes
Jon Tayler / Sports Illustrated:
Jose Ureña's Dirty Pitch at Ronald Acuña Jr. Shows MLB Must Take Action
Jose Ureña's Dirty Pitch at Ronald Acuña Jr. Shows MLB Must Take Action
Discussion:
Paste, Talking Chop, Bless You Boys and Fish Stripes
ESPN:
Ball hits Brandon Nimmo's finger; X-rays come back negative — New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo left Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies after a fastball hit his bat and his left hand in the third inning. — X-rays on Nimmo's left index finger came back negative.
RELATED:
Rob Tornoe / Philly.com:
Today's first Phillies-Mets game available only on Facebook — If you were hoping to watch Phillies take on the New York Mets on television this afternoon, good luck finding the game. — For the fourth time this season, fans hoping to watch the Phillies will have to log onto Facebook.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and The Good Phight
RELATED:
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Why new Phillies catcher Wilson Ramos is called ‘The Buffalo’ | Extra Innings
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
New addition Wilson Ramos rallies Phillies past Red Sox in debut
New addition Wilson Ramos rallies Phillies past Red Sox in debut
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Associated Press:
Yankees load bases in ninth with no outs but come up empty in yet another lifeless loss to Rays — Where is bottom? — A listless Yankees lineup lost again to the Tampa, despite loading the bases with no-out in the ninth inning, losing 3-1 Thursday. It was the Rays' first series win at Yankee Stadium since 2014.
RELATED:
Scott Stinson / Toronto Sun:
Yankees and Red Sox's absurd spending habits will make it even tougher to rebuild the Blue Jays — Scott Stinson: Those two teams are already miles better — and they operate with a fearlessness that the Blue Jays' front office simply does not — The Toronto Blue Jays began their season …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Steve Dilbeck / Associated Press:
Dozier ends Dodgers' skid with RBI in 12th against Giants — LOS ANGELES (AP) It was looking all too familiar to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Another lead lost, another reliever buckling in a big moment. — Only this time, after San Francisco Giants outfielder Andrew McCutchen hit …
RELATED:
Ben Pope / Philly.com:
Phillies prospect Andrew Brown adding improved curveball to stellar fastball in Lakewood — LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Andrew Brown already has a 95-mph fastball and a change-up that Lakewood manager Marty Malloy describes as “really good.” — He has worked all season on improving his curveball consistency …
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
If the Cubs win the NL Central, which team would they least like to face in the playoffs? — Cubs manager Joe Maddon, Kyle Hendricks, Anthony Rizzo, Albert Almora Jr. and Jason Heyward discuss the Cubs' 8-4 win against the Brewers on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
3 things we learned from the Cubs-Brewers series
Associated Press:
Rangers' Adrian Beltre still sidelined by hamstring injury — ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre is still out of the lineup because of his troublesome left hamstring, but remains on the active roster. — Beltre said before the Rangers' game Thursday …
Aj MassEspn / ESPN:
Potential September prospect call-ups you should add today — We're about two weeks from the end of August. Once the calendar page turns, MLB teams have the option to expand their rosters. Now, few teams will increase their clubhouse numbers to the maximum 40 players, and most will add only a handful of new faces to the mix.
ESPN:
Who's indispensable for contenders down the stretch? — Which players in baseball are most important for their teams down the stretch? This answer is trickier than simply picking the best players in baseball, because as we head toward the final quarter of the season, half of the league is practically …
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
New Iowa Cubs outfielder Terrance Gore expected in Chicago soon — Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982. Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time. Mark Marturello and Michael Zamora/The Register
Ryan Ford / Arizona Republic:
Tigers' Victor Martinez ‘pretty sure’ he will retire after this season — Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez seems ready to retire, once the 2018 season comes to an end. — “I'm pretty sure this is gonna be it,” Martinez told Fox Sports Detroit and a group of media …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and MLB Baseball News …
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
While waiting for Michael Kopech's White Sox call-up, preview his ‘E:60’ profile — Photos of the White Sox pitcher and the No. 10-ranked prospect by Baseball America. — Chicago Tribune — White Sox minor-league pitching sensation Michael Kopech is set to receive ESPN2's “E:60” treatment this weekend.